Background information:
Birth name Wasalu Muhammad Jaco
Born February 17, 1981
Origin Chicago, Illinois, USA
Genre(s) Hip hop
Occupation(s) Rapper, Songwriter, Producer
Instrument(s) Rapping
Years active 2001 to present
Label(s) Atlantic, 1st & 15th
Website www.lupefiasco.com
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco (born on February 17, 1981 in Chicago, Illinois) known by the stage name Lupe Fiasco is an African-American rapper. Lupe Fiasco rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his debut album, Food & Liquor, which received three Grammy Award nominations. Raised on the west side of Chicago as the youngest of nine siblings, Lupe developed a taste for art and a sharp artistic sense, which he says he owes to both his parents. His father was an African drummer, and his mother a gourmet chef who traveled the world.
Origin of Name
Growing up, Wasalu had the nickname of "Lu", the last part of his first name. The "Lupe" portion is an extension of this nickname, which he borrowed from a friend named Lupe from high school. The "Fiasco" portion came from his simply looking at the song "Firm Fiasco" from the album by the rap group The Firm and liking the way the 'fiasco' looked on paper.
Career
Lupe has previously been on label Epic with his group,"Da Pak", and then signed a solo deal with Arista Records. In 2003 under Arista Records, Lupe dropped the single "Pop Pop" where he presented himself as a gangsta rapper with lyrics glorifying both gun use and jewels. [1] During this time, he also had guest appearances on singles from Tha' Rayne (2002's "Kiss Me" and 2003's "Didn't You Know and K Fox (2004's "This Life"), then Arista folded in 2004 and Lupe was signed to Atlantic Records. Jay-Z, emcee and current president of Def Jam Records, was so impressed with Lupe that he offered to sign him to Def Jam records (around the time of The Blueprint & The Black Album), but Lupe declined, having already started his "1st and 15th" label. Jay-Z decided to assist him in the production of his album.
In the early summer of 2006, East-Coast rap artist Fabolous said he wanted to do a collaboration with Lupe.
Atlantic Records
In 2004 Arista went out of business and Lupe was signed with Atlantic Records.
Jay-Z, emcee and current president of Def Jam Records, was so impressed with Lupe that he offered to sign him to Def Jam records (around the time of The Blueprint & The Black Album), but Lupe declined, having already started his 1st and 15th label. Jay-Z decided to assist him in the production of his album Food & Liquor.[2]
In 2006 he released his hit single "Kick, Push", a song heavily referencing skateboarding, and established himself as the antithesis of many mainstream rappers. As his popularity slowly increased, so did anticipation for his upcoming album Food & Liquor. The album was officially released on September 19, 2006, becoming one of the most critically acclaimed rap albums of the year. Singles from the album were "Kick, Push", "I Gotcha" and "Daydreamin" featuring Jill Scott. The album was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2007 Grammy Awards.
Since going mainstream, Lupe has had requests from many other rappers to do guest appearances with him, including producer rapper Kanye West, East-Coast rap artist Fabolous and West-Coast rapper The Game.
Endorsements
In January 2006, Lupe signed with major footwear and apparel corporation RBK, also known as Reebok. Lupe was became a part of the "O.G" marketing campaign, where Rap artists such as Lil' Wayne and Mike Jones designed their own personal colorway of the Reebok "O.G" model. He designed a white/grey model of the shoe.
Radio
In early 2006, Busy (of Atlantic Records) approached Lu and personal friend/hypeman Dusean Bishop G Dunbar to start up FNF Radio, a college radio show broadcast online from WIIT, a college radio station located at the Illinois Institute of Technology. The show is reported to have, on average, close to 6,000 listeners a night. The music featured on the show is mostly hip-hop and many of the songs played are either his own, of the artists on his label "1st and 15th", personal favorites, or gag records. In between playing music, discussions are held on issues ranging from politics, music, sports, entertainment, etc. Also, 45 minutes into the show, a contest called the "freshen up package" is held where three questions are made up, and the first person to call in with the correct answers successfully, wins the prize(s).
In the past prizes have ranged from clothing packages, skateboarding items, compact discs, etc. FNF radio is scheduled to air every Monday at 11:00 pm EST. Lupe's singles in order of release were "Kick, Push", "I Gotcha" and "Daydreamin" featuring Jill Scott.
Personal life
Lupe Fiasco is the youngest of four brothers. He has five sisters. His father was a prolific African drummer, and his mother was a gourmet chef. Lupe began to rap when he was in the 8th grade, but began to pursue it fully when he turned 17. He is highly influenced by Crucial Conflict and Nas among others. Lupe regards It Was Written as one of his favorite albums and cites it as his primary source inspiration. For instance, when asked of his influences in an interview with AllHipHop.com, Lupe stated the following: "You know I really tried to go back and recreate [Nas'] It Was Written, you know what I'm saying like that? [I would play] It Was Written and then I would play my album, and it was like, `Do we got [this] record, do we got that record?'"
In a following interview with Nobody Smiling: NobodySmiling.com: Now you've said many times that your album is modeled after `It Was Written,' and a lot of people wouldn't admit that because a lot people would be like He's biting or whatever. So why do you feel so comfortable admitting that?
Lupe Fiasco : Cause it's a classic. Like, people study-you study the masters, you know what I'm saying? Everybody that's rapping studied someone to learn how to rap. They had a rapper who was they favorite rapper that they wanted to be like and wanted to rap like, know what I'm saying? For me, I just look at it like I studied a masterpiece. I modeled my album after a masterpiece; and not song for song; not line for line; not beat for beat. It was more-for me it was like mood for mood. The way he set the mood on that album to me was just like incredible. And at the time in my life-like, I fell in love with 'It Was Written' when I was seventeen/eighteen;a very impressionable time;so I was like I love that album. That's my favorite Hip Hop album, so it's like why not base your album on 'It Was Written?'
Lupe has been open about his Islamic faith, showcasing it in his critically acclaimed underground remix of friend and collaborator Kanye West's "Jesus Walks", entitled "Muhammad Walks". He has noted the importance of religion in his life, stating, "Well, I was born Muslim, so Islam plays a part in my life and everything I do... I don't go to clubs, I don't drink, I don't smoke, you know like my whole - the whole groupie situation is shut down."In addition, the lettering of "Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor" on the cover art of Food & Liquor is stylized to look like that of Persian calligraphy, designed by acclaimed NYC artist Rostarr.
Lupe is also known for his involvement in the "streetwear" culture. He frequently shows supports for brands such as FALSE/LMAC, DPMHI, CLOT, Dekoi and Artful Dodger. Lupe is also close friends with many of the owners of the brands he punts like Le Messie (FALSE/LMAC), Hardy Blechman (MHI), Edison Chen (CLOT) etc. He also has been known to post on the Hypebeast.com forum.
Influences
Lupe is highly influenced by Crucial Conflict and Nas among others. Lupe regards It Was Written as one of his favorite albums and cites it as his primary source of inspiration. For instance, when asked of his influences in an interview with AllHipHop.com, Lupe stated the following: "You know I really tried to go back and recreate [Nas'] It Was Written, you know what I'm saying like that? [I would play] It Was Written and then I would play my album, and it was like, `Do we got [this] record, do we got that record?'"[5]
In a following interview with Nobody Smiling:
NobodySmiling.com : Now you've said many times that your album is modeled after `It Was Written,' and a lot of people wouldn't admit that because a lot people would be like He's biting or whatever. So why do you feel so comfortable admitting that?
Lupe Fiasco : Cause it's a classic. Like, people study-you study the masters, you know what I'm saying? Everybody that's rapping studied someone to learn how to rap. They had a rapper who was they favorite rapper that they wanted to be like and wanted to rap like, know what I'm saying? For me, I just look at it like I studied a masterpiece. I modeled my album after a masterpiece; and not song for song; not line for line; not beat for beat. It was more-for me it was like mood for mood. The way he set the mood on that album to me was just like incredible. And at the time in my life-like, I fell in love with 'It Was Written' when I was seventeen/eighteen—a very impressionable time—so I was like I love that album. That's my favorite Hip Hop album, so it's like why not base your album on 'It Was Written?' [6]
Along with It Was Written, Lupe claims to have listened to and enjoyed music by 2Pac, Too $hort and Jay-Z in "Hurt Me Soul."
Lupe was strongly influenced by Tupac Shakur. On an episode of the Ellen DeGeneres Show, he was seen wearing a Makaveli-Branded T-Shirt while performing "Touch the Sky" with Kanye West.
Performed a Myspace secret show in Chicago on the release date of his debut album "Food & Liquor" on September 19, 2006. The free-show featured guest appearances from FNF's own Gemini, Shayla G, and Risque, plus Matthew Santos ("American Terrorist"). Over 800 kids lined up at Chicago's Metro to see Lupe perform.
Notable Quote: Lupe Fiasco : When I retire, I want to step away on a positive note. What you put out into the world comes back to you. You actually change the world with what you do. I want to put some good in the world.
Awards
Grammy Awards, World
Grammy Stats
* Career Wins: -
* Career Nominations: 3
Year Result Category
2007 Nomination Best Rap Solo Performance
For: "Kick, Push"
Best Rap Song
For: "Kick, Push"
Best Rap Album
For: "Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor"
Singles
Year Title Chart Positions Album
US Hot 100 US R&B/Hip-Hop UK
2002 "Kiss Me" (Tha' Rayne featuring Lupe Fiasco) - - - Promo Single only
2003 "Pop Pop" - - - Promo Single only
2003 "Didn't You Know" (Tha Rayne featuring Lupe Fiasco & Joe Budden) - 75 - Reign Supreme
2006 "Kick, Push" 69 79 27 Food & Liquor
2006 "Touch the Sky" (Kanye West featuring Lupe Fiasco) 42 34 6 Late Registration
2006 "Daydreamin'" (featuring Jill Scott) - 63 25 Food & Liquor
2006 "I Gotcha" - 86 - Food & Liquor
2006 "The Instrumental" (featuring Jonah Matranga) TBR TBR TBR Food & Liquor
Albums
Album cover Album information
Food & Liquor
* Released: September 19, 2006 (U.S.)
* Label: Atlantic Records/1st & 15th Records
* Chart Positions: #8 (U.S.)
* U.S. Sales: Currently 255,183 copies sold.
* RIAA Certification: TBA
* Singles: "Kick, Push", "I Gotcha", "Daydreamin'"
The Cool
* Released: Summer 2007 (U.S.)
* Label: Atlantic Records/1st & 15th Records
* Chart Positions: #TBA (U.S.)
* U.S. Sales: TBA
* RIAA Certification: TBA
* Singles: TBA
Guest appearances
* "Kiss Me" by Tha' Rayne feat. Lupe Fiasco (2002)
* "This Life" by K-Fox feat. Lupe Fiasco (2003)
* "Didn't You Know" by Tha' Rayne, Joe Budden & Lupe Fiasco (2003)
* "Touch the Sky" by Kanye West feat. Lupe Fiasco (2005)
* "Be Somebody" by Fort Minor feat. Holly Brook, Lupe Fiasco & Tak (2005)
* "Catch Me" by Dan The Automator, Lupe Fiasco, & Evidence (2006)
* "I Am Commin (Freestyle)" by Cache 22 feat. Lupe Fiasco (2006)
* "Change" by Joy Denalane feat. Lupe Fiasco (2006)
* "Kids With Guns" Jet Phynx feat. Lupe Fiasco (2006)
* "Can You Feel It" Jet Phynx feat. Lupe Fiasco (2006)
* "Spray Paint and Ink Pens" By Fort Minor Feat Lupe Fiasco (On Fort Minors Mixtape We Major)
Mixtapes
Note: The following mixtapes are compilations of tracks put together by various Hip-Hop DJs. Not all of them are directly affiliated with Lupe Fiasco.
Fahrenheit 1/15 Part I: The Truth Is Among Us
Released: 2006 (U.S.)
Fahrenheit 1/15 Part II: Revenge of the Nerds
Released: 2006 (U.S.)
Fahrenheit 1/15 Part III: A Rhyming Ape
Released: 2006 (U.S.)
Lupe Fiasco: Touch the Sky
Released: 2006 (U.S.)
Lupe the Jedi
Released: 2006 (U.S.)
Nerds in Paradise
Released: 2006 (U.S.)
DigitalJunkeez.com Presents... Lupe Fiasco "The Great"
Released: 2006 (U.S.)
Chi-Town Guevara
Released: 2006 (U.S.)
Mick Boogie and Lupe Fiasco: It Was Written...
Released: 2006 (U.S.)
Lupe Fiasco: Trials and Tribulations Vol. 1
Released: 2006 (U.S.)
RBK Artists Spotlight Vol. 1 (Hosted by Lupe Fiasco)
Released: 2006 (U.S.)
2K Sports Mixtape (Hosted By Clinton Sparks)
Released: 2006 (U.S.)
Rise of the Phynx: The Mixtape
Released: August 2006 (U.S.)
DJ Exclusive Presents Lupe Fiasco: Street Smart
Released: September 19, 2006 (U.S.)
Fahrenheit 1/15 Part III: A Rhyming Ape Special Re-Release
Released: 2007 (U.S.)
